Shielf structure



' March 29, 1966 R. G. CHESLEY 3,242,886

SHELF STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 11, 1964 v 2 8 34 v7- 61. v

J F I I I I Lz I INVEN'TOR. 7-'1&4 ROBE 12 RT G.CHESLEY Mn. 501v, SETTLE a. CRAIG I HTTOENEYS United States Patent SHELF STRUCTURE Robert G. Chesley, Farmington, Mich., assignor to Chesley Industries, Inc., Farmington, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec.'11, 1964, Ser. No. 417,599

- 9 Claims. (Cl. 108-152) This invention relates to shelf structures and more particularly to shelf structures for displaying retail merchandise.

, The present invention deals with a shelf structure of a'type which is in widespread use in retail stores for displaying merchandise. The basic unit includes a pair of slotted vertical upright members which are secured to a wall inspaced apart relationship. The slots in the upright members lockingly receive lugs provided onshelf brackets. The provision of a plurality of slots in the upright members permits positioning the shelf brackets at the desired vertical level. The shelf brackets in turn support a shelf upon which is loaded retail merchandise.

Numerous manufacturers (approximately seventy) havemanufactured this general type of shelf structure. As'a consequence, retail establishments currently have units of widely varying design. When it is desired to provide 'a'ditferent type of shelf and accompanying shelf bracket for such units, it has been necessary to design the-shelf bracket in a wide variety of configurations in order to match the configuration of the upright members. The upright members are made of sheet metal of varying thickness-and of different cross-sectional configurations.

There has been a demand by large distributors of retail merchandise for a universal bracket and shelf arrangemen't to fit all of the various types of uprights presently-installed in retail stores. The distributors wish to provide retail merchants with a shelf specifically designed-for. the distributors products. Each distributor wishes all of the shelves which display his products to be uniform so that he may have a uniform display in the various stores in which his merchandise is displayed. For

example, many of the prior shelves were of sheet metal construction as opposed to neat and eflicient self-cleaning wire shelves.

The present invention solves this problem by providing a shelf bracket having an adjuster which permits mounting of-the shelf bracket on any of the Wide variety of upright members which have previously been installed in retail stores; The brackets are also of a flexible nature to :permit deformation thereof so that the shelf may be forced between the upright members into abutting relationship with the supporting wall to prevent the presence of agap between the rear edge of the shelf and the wall. It isthereforean object of my invention to provide an improved shelf structure which may be readily mounted or removed from a supporting wall.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved shelf structure having spaced apart resilient supporting brackets for supporting a shelf proper of lesser width than. the space between the brackets so that the brackets become bowed when the shelf is locked in position to aid in retaining the shelf in proper position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improvedashelf structure having brackets carrying adjuster members so that the brackets may be firmly secured to upright supporting structures of varying Wall thicknesses.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawing:

- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the shelf structure embodying features of my invention;

3,242,886 Patented Mar. 29, 1966 "ice FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of a sectional bracket embodying features of my invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of a portion of the shelf structure mounted in a supporting upright member with the upright member. being shown in cross section; and p FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a modified form of shelf structure embodying features of my invention.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purposeof description and not of limitation. In acco'rdancewith my invention I provide -an improved shelf' structure which permits replacement of damaged or worn out parts with the assurance that such parts will be usable to cooperate with the remaining parts to provide a sturdy structure for supporting any and all types of retail merchandise. In general the shelf struc ture includes shelf supporting bracket which cooperate with adjuster members to support and connect the shelf proper to the usual upright members with the' adjuster flexible sectional shelf-supporting brackets 16. A wire shelf 18 is supported on the brackets 16.

The uprights 12 are channel sections having legs 20 and 22 joined together by a web 24. A plurality of vertically spaced generally rectangular openings 30 are' provided in the web 24. The openings 30 permit mounting of the brackets 16 at different vertical positions wheree by the shelf 18 may be located at any desired vertical level. The two uprights shown are identical.

- The sectional brackets 16 include a main or shelf supporting section 34 and an adjuster section 36. The main section is made of flexible sheet metal and is provided with an indented. portion 38 at end 39. Elongated slots 40 are provided in the portion 38. The indented portion 38 is provided with a serrated inner surface 46. The

main section is also provided with elongated slots 48. The adjuster section 36 is provided with a flat surface. 50' and a serrated surface 52 on the opposite side of surface 50. The adjuster section 36 is also provided .with a lug' 56 including an inwardly projecting portion 58 and a downwardly projecting portion 60. When the sectional bracket is assembled the adjuster section 36 is positioned in the indented portion 38 with the serrated surfaces 46 and 52 in engagement with each other and the lug S6 of adjuster 36 extending beyond ends 39 of main section 34. The main section 34 and the adjuster section 36 are clamped together by bolts 70 which extend through slots 40 in section 34 and apertures 72 in section 36 and secured by nuts 74. Because the slots 40 in section 34 are relatively wide, the adjuster 36 may be moved longitudinally relative to section 34 so as to vary the distance between the end 39 of section 34 and the downwardly projecting portion 60 of lug 56. Thus, the brackets 16 are sectional and adjustable. The serrated surfaces 46 and 52 provide a locking engagement to prevent slippage.

The two brackets 16 are identical and are made with the same dies. The adjuster sections are located on the left side of the brackets 16 as the brackets are viewed in FIGURE. 1.

In FIGURE 3, the bracket 16 is mounted on the upright 12 with the end 39 of section 34 bearing against the outside of web 24 and the downwardly projecting portion 60 of lug 56 hearing against the inside of web 24. This firmly locks the brackets 16 to the uprights 12. Since the main section 34 and adjuster 36 are adjustable relative to each other, the distance between the end 39 of section 34 and portion 60 of lug 56 may be varied to fit any upright regardless of the thickness of its web.

The wire shelf 18 is supported on the upper edges of the brackets 16. The shelf 18 includes a rectangular frame 80, transverse wires 82 and wires 84 extending substantially parallel to the brackets 16. These wires are located close together in practice but, for the sake of clarity, they are shown somewhat far apart.

The shelf 18 is secured to the brackets 16 by straps 88 and bolts 90. The straps 88 are looped over the shelf frame 80 and extend downwardly below slots 48. The bolts 90 pass throughholes, not shown, in the legs of the straps-88 and pass through the elongated slots 48 to clamp the frame ,80 and brackets 16 together. The elongated slots 48 permit the shelf to be moved relative to the brackets, so that the shelf 18 is between the uprights and the rear edge thereof is adjacent the wall 14. The shelf 18 is of lesser width than the space between the brackets 16 at the points where they are attached.

In assembling the shelf 18 with the flexible brackets 16, the forward ends of the brackets are bowed inwardly as at 89 and the brackets looped over the frame 80 and brackets 16 and partially secured by bolts 90. The shelf is temporarily held in place by the bowed-in flexible brackets 16 and bolts 90. The shelf is then moved rearwardly until the rear edge thereof engages wall 14. The bolts are then completely tightened and the shelf is locked in position with the aid of the flexible brackets 16. With the straps being adjacent the transverse wires 82, the shelf 18 cannot slip relative .to the brackets 16.

1 In FIGURE 4, the upright 12 which is secured to wall 14 supports a bracket 100. The bracket 100 supports the shelf 18. The bracket 100 includes a flexible main section 102 .and an adjuster section 104. The adjuster section locks the main section 102 in the upright 12 in the same manner adjuster section 36 locks the main section 34 in upright 12. The abutting surfaces of section 102 and section 104 may be serrated. The shelf 18 is locked to bracket 100 by straps 106 which correspond to brackets 88.- In this embodiment, studs 108 are rigidly secured to section 102 which studs, with nuts 110, lock the shelf 18 to section 102. In this adjuster 104 is a long slot 112 to permit adjustment between shelf 18 and bracket 100.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that I have provided a shelf structure which may be readily installed or removed and one in which the shelf structure brackets will fit any supporting element regardless of its wall thickness. Also, the resilient brackets aid in locking the shelf in position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A shelf structure comprising a plurality of upright members securable to a wall and having vertically spaced openings, shelf-support main brackets each supported on one end only, adjuster members cooperating with said brackets and having a portion of each extending through one of said openings and another portion engaging the rear wall of said upright member, said adjuster members being adjustable relative to said main brackets to firmly clamp an edge of the main brackets against the front wall of said upright members and a shelf carried by said brackets.

2. A shelf structure comprising a plurality of uprights secured to a wall in spaced apart relationship, a flexible shelf-support bracket secured to each upright, a shelf of lesser width than the space between said uprights and means for clamping said shelf between said shelf support brackets with the brackets being in bowed relationship to aid in locking said shelf adjacent said wall.

3. A shelf structure comprising a plurality of uprights secured to a wall in spaced apart relationship, a flexible shelf-support bracket secured to each upright, adjuster means cooperating with each bracket and firmly clamping same to said uprights, a shelf of lesser width than the space between said uprights and means for clamping said shelf between said shelf-support brackets with the brackets being in bowed relationship to aid in locking said shelf adjacent said wall. 7 V I 4. A shelf structure comprising a plurality of upright members securable to a wall, shelf-support main brackets each of which is supported on one end only, adjuster members cooperating with said main brackets to secure said adjuster members and brackets to said upright rnembers, said adjuster members being adjustable relative to said brackets to define a slot equal in the width of the thickness of a wall of said upright members to firmly clamp an edge of said main brackets against the front of said-wall of said upright members while the adjuster member engages the rear wall thereof, said edge of said main brackets and said adjuster members having verticallydisposed portions of substantial length for providing firm support for the main brackets and a shelf carried by said.

brackets.

5. A shelf structure comprising a plurality of upright members securable to a wall and having vertically spaced openings therein, shelf support main brackets each supported on one end only, adjuster members cooperating with said main brackets to secure said adjuster members and brackets to said upright members, said adjuster members being adjustable relative to said brackets and having a portion extending into one of said openings to firmly clamp an edge of said brackets against said upright members, said edge of said brackets and said adjuster members having vertically disposed portions of substantial length to provide firm support for said main brackets, said brackets haying elongated slots, a generally rectangular shelf including a frame having transverse wires carried by said brackets, strap means looped over said frame between transverse wires and means extending through said slots to clamp the strap means to said frame and brackets.

6. A shelf structure comprising a plurality of upright members securable to a wall and having vertically spaced openings therein, shelf support main brackets each sup? ported on one end only, adjuster members cooperating with said main brackets to secure said adjuster members and brackets to said upright members, said adjuster members being adjustable relative to said brackets and having a portion extending into one of said openings, said adjuster members and said brackets having adjacent "serrated surfaces so as to be adjustable relative to each Otherflto firmly clamp an edge of said brackets against said'upright members, and a shelf carried by said brackets.

7. A shelf structure comprising a plurality of upright supports securable to a wall and having vertically spaced openings therein, shelf-support main bracket members each supported on one end only, adjuster members cooperating with said bracket members and having a portion of each extending through one of said openings, one of said members having elongated slots and the other having openings, tie means extending through said'slots and openings of said members to provide adjustable relationship between said bracket members and said adjuster members and the portion of the adjuster members which extend through the openings in the upright supports having vertically disposed portions of substantial length to provide firm support for the shelf-support main bracket members and a shelf carried by said bracket members.

8. A shelf structure for securement to spaced apart uprights, said uprights each including a Wall portion having a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein, said shelf structure including shelf-support brackets, adjuster members on said brackets, said adjuster members each comprising a hook member which defines, with the end of the brackets, an adjustable slot, said hook member being for insertion through a selected one of the upright openings, said hook members being adjustably secured to the brackets for adjustment With respect thereto to define a slot equal in width to the thickness of aid upright wall portion to firmly secure the bracket to the uprights, said end of the brackets and said hook members having vertically disposed portions of substantial length to provide firm support for the shelf-support brackets, and a shelf carried by said brackets.

9. A shelf structure for securement to spaced apart uprights, said uprights each including a Wall portion having a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein, said shelf structure including shelf-support brackets, adjuster members on said brackets, said adjuster members each comprising a hook member which defines, with the end of the brackets, an adjustable slot, said hook member being for insertion through a selected one of the upright openings, said hook members being adjustably secured to the brackets for horizontal adjustment with respect thereto to define a slot equal in Width to the thickness of said upright Wall portion to firmly detachably secure the bracket to the uprights, said end of the brackets and said hook members having vertically disposed portions of substantial length to provide firm support for the shelf-support brackets.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 371,767 10/1887 Klein 5-296 X 953,857 4/1910 Reynolds 248-241 1,176,588 3/1916 Miller et al 248-250 1,224,127 5/1917 Bartlett 108-152 X 1,235,679 8/1917 Gerberich 5-296 X 2,136,109 11/1938 Kress 248-243 X 2,236,044 3/1941 Vanderveld et al. 248-243 2,539,933 1/1951- Silverman 5-296 X 3,092,047 6/ 1963 Chesley 248-243 3,097,822 7/1963 Attwood 248-250 FOREIGN PATENTS 220,072 3/ 1962 Austria.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

J. T. MCCALL, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,242,886 March 29, 1966 Robert G. Chesley ed that error appears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certifi t the said Letters Patent should read as ent requiring correction and tha corrected below.

Column 2, line 25, for "bracket" read brackets column 5, line 16, for "aid" read said column 6, after line 22, insert 3,135,489 6/64 Gledhill--248223 Signed and sealed this 31st day of January 1967 (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. A SHELF STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF UPRIGHT MEMBERS SECURABLE TO A WALL AND HAVING VERTICALLY SPACED OPENINGS, SHELF-SUPPORT MAIN BRACKETS EACH SUPPORTED ON ONE END ONLY, ADJUSTER MEMBERS COOPERATING WITH SAID BRACKETS AND HAVING A PORTION OF EACH EXTENDING THROUGH ONE OF SAID OPENINGS AND ANOTHER PORTION ENGAGING THE REAR WALL OF SAID UPRIGHT MEMBER, SAID ADJUSTER MEMBERS BEING ADJUSTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID MAIN BRACKETS TO FIRMLY CLAMP AN EDGE OF THE MAIN BRACKETS AGAINST THE FRONT WALL OF SAID UPRIGHT MEMBERS AND A SHELF CARRIED BY SAID BRACKETS. 